Etchells World Championship day one - Hiatt top placed foreign boat

The Etchells World Championship 2011 is underway in San Diego. The event is being organized by Etchells Fleet 13 in conjunction with the San Diego Yacht and will be sailed on the Pacific Ocean from June 6 to June 11, 2011.

AUS 1278 Michael Hiatt is the top foreign boat in sixth place overall.

A great day for USA 979 Bill Hardesty (1,1) who takes and early lead. USA 1227 Vince Brun (3,4) is second and the top Corinthian boat is Peter Vessella (USA 1168) who is third overall.

With calm seas and consistent 275-280 direction, the race committee presented two races on Day 1 with wind in the range of 7-16 knots averaging 10-11 all day. The two sided start line (committee boat in the middle and two pin boats on 1/3 mile to port and starboard), allowed for better line judgment with the 83 boat Etchells fleet.

Bill Hardesty and Vince Brun were at the front of the fleet for nearly the entire day. After a middle of the pack finish for AUS 1278 Michael Hiatt in Race 1, they were able to take and hold the lead through every turn of Race 2 until Hardesty made the pass on the final leg for his second bullet of the day.